OP ED: Uncertainty looms as BVI’s next Premier still undecided
Following the recent election in the British Virgin Islands, the public is eager to know who will become the next Premier.
The Virgin Islands Party currently holds six of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly, but they require a seventh to form a government. However, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and the National Democratic (NDP) parties, who each won three seats, are unlikely to be swayed to join the VIP.
Julian Fraser, the only candidate with a party of one, previously declared the VIP as ‘public enemy number one’ during the campaign. He has formed a soft alliance with the PVIM and expressed his willingness to work with the NDP. Before the election, the PVIM and NDP were considering an alliance, and they may revisit those discussions to prevent the VIP from claiming another term as the government.
If the NDP, PVIM, and Fraser join forces, they would have the seven legislators necessary to form a government. However, this three-way alliance is stacked with leaders, making it difficult to imagine any of them relinquishing their grip on the ‘crown’ of the premiership without a fight.
While each of the leaders possesses considerable legislative experience and strengths that make them fit for the role, they also have qualities that some may view as liabilities. For instance, Skelton’s communication skills have been called into question in some circles. Questions have also arisen about whether that perceived deficiency will put the BVI at a disadvantage during high-level talks in the international space. Penn’s political maturity has also been questioned, and Fraser’s ability to work well with others and lead effectively has been doubted.
Lorna Smith, an independent-turned-NDP member, may be viewed as a potential compromise candidate. A major player in financial services and a diplomat, Smith has proven herself capable. However, some may question whether a first-term legislator like Smith should assume the role of Premier at such a critical point in the territory’s history.
The newly elected officials have much to discuss, and time is of the essence. If they are unable to make a decision, Governor John Rankin has the constitutional authority to select the candidate he believes is the best fit for the role of Premier.
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Lorna offering the VIP whatever it takes if she can be Premier. She is also offering the NDP/VIPM/Frazer whatever they want as long as she can be premier. She has made it clear, albeit insisting that it should not be public, that she owes no loyalty to the NDP.
Julian is biding his time – nobody wants to work with him but he knows that they need him.
Mitsy – almost came last ????
The BVI’s future moving forward will be very dependent upon it’s financial business, we are too small to be a producer in a material sense, and, tourism, although important, lacks the required investment to make us competitive across the board. What we therefor need is a leader with both finance and international experience, and, the only candidate that fits this bill is Lorna Smith. In this current world climate the BVI needs an individual with international skills as against political ones, if there has to br a choice between the two.
Lorna is the outstanding candidate for Premier.
Remember the Premier is also Minister of Finance and no one matches her experience there.
We can’t say we weren’t warned this could happen. And they cannot agree. The Governor will have to choose because we clearly can’t make simple common sense decisions on our own.
Mr. Wheatley’s and Ms Hodge-Smith’s plurality victories in their respective districts (winning with less than 50% of the vote) aren’t the ingredients for a strong showing for the VIP.
Sharie Decastro just need to switch through out fraser and be on with it. he need to humble himself there is a reason y he will not be premier!
Please Sharie Switch lets be on with it. the BVI Got work to do… fraser holding you guys back!
Let us go back to the poll and vote for the Premier if we can’t come to a conclusion.
best wishes to the new goverment
It is important to note that the system is not based on candidates winning a majority of the votes cast but rather a plurality of the vote, ie, first-past-poll. The system will have to be changed for majority voting , ie, 50% + plus 1. The majority voting requirement often results in runoff elections between the top 2 candidates. That means a winner may not be determined in the first election.
Let Ronnie Fraser Marlon fright for the opposition now set of power hungry dumbies hole that
Diplomat…can’t get search.